Family Visit... Part 5

The Final Chapter

Day 5, Monday
Garden of the Gods

The last and final day with the family.  The best part was that there was no school.    Eric and Alex went golfing, Emily stayed home with Dakota (she was sick), and the rest of us headed to Gods Garden (AKA Garden of the Gods).  It was the perfect place to take the kids.  It was free, not too far from our house, and just long enough to enjoy walking but not too long for the kids.  Hunter (my nephew) asked on the way..."Why do they call it Gods Garden, when the whole Earth is His garden."  (very clever for a 7 year old)

The kissing Camels

Brittlynn enjoying the park

Everyone ready to go exploring

Why the Garden is there

Cousin friends

Kohyn exploring

Hunter couldn't stay away from the rocks 

Lisa, Savannah, and Jericho...not sure if they really want to be there

Polly made it in  a picture...she is kinda fuzzy...no worries the rocks are in focus

The girls decided to explore a little

Lisa and Jericho

Savannah having lots of fun exploring

It was time for lunch and then headed homes for naps.  (Yes, we did all of that before 12:30)  The rest of the day was filled with last minute fun...Water balloon fights, dinner, family picture, shopping, and of course packing.  Before we knew it it was time to say goodnight and goodbye.  There was still so much more to do. Until next time.  

The much anticipated water balloon fight....

...5 minutes later the balloons were gone, but there were smiles on everyones face.

We decided to take pictures as a family.  Thanks Lisa for doing this for us.  We were sure when we would get one of these with our crazy schedule.

Family Visit... Part 4

Day 5, Sunday

The day everyone was waiting for.  It was a nice relaxing morning, with plenty of time to ready for church. (Yes, we have the dreaded 1:00pm church...good only for when family comes to town.)  The morning was spent...

Making cinnamon rolls for breakfast...

Teaching the gospel...

Liberty says "God wants us to obey," and Savannah replies "Why"

Playing in the sand...

Reading books...

Finishing the booties...

Yes, Polly once again finished the booties just in time to go to church.

Getting dressed...

Kisses from Daddy...

In the car seat, and to the church we go.

It was a very special day.  Chris Stratton (an adopted member of the Lescarbeau family) flew in from Boise to give Brittlynn her blessing.  We also had the Schlag family come.  They served their mission in San Angelo were we got to know them, and they live here in Colorado Springs.  

The family together.

Polly was kicking herself for not getting a family picture with Alex in it at Savannah's blessing, she made sure to get one this time, but didn't get any pictures of Chris with Brittlynn.  (Do you ever remember to get all pictures you want?)  

After church Brittlynn fell asleep in her car seat, so when she finally woke up to eat we played pass the baby for pictures...

Grandmere...mom...maker of the dress

Kohyn...

Liberty...

Savannah...

Jericho...not sure what he was supposed to be doing...

Dakota...

Aunt Lisa...

Mom...yes, she is ready to eat

The people we forgot...Emily, Alex, and Hunter.  Luckily we got one with dad before church.

We finished our even with a trip to the park.  Don't worry it isn't the same park.  The pictures are different.  Enjoy the slide show...

Who knew the park could be so much fun...we love having cousins come to visit.

Family Visit... Part 1

With the arrival of a new baby you must plan for the baby blessing.  Polly, thinking a three day weekend would be perfect for family & friends to be able to travel.

Perfect...would not be the way to describe what we were up against for the weekend, but we had fun and that is all that matters.  Before I show you all of the fun, let me explain some of the craziness:

1) Parent's weekend at the Academy. (Polly didn't know this when making plans) Eric works with the cadets and was supposed to be there to meet their parents when they come into town.  

2) Special duty.  Eric was assigned a special duty of working security.  He was excited to let Polly know that he only had to work the Parade and one other football game.  The problem, the parade is on Parent's weekend...Labor Day weekend...family coming to visit. (Do you see the craziness beginning?)

3) School...kids are in school and some of the family visiting started school the week before Labor day.

4) People moved.  We asked a friend of ours (Chris Stratton) to bless Brittlynn thinking they would be in Texas and they could drive up for the weekend...this was great until they got out of the Air Force and moved to Idaho, where they had their only family functions to attend.  (Chris still made it without his family...what a great friend...we miss not having them down the street)

5) Not that this was a problem, just crazy...5 children under the age of 3 in one house for 5 days...can we survive? (1-3 year old, 2-2 year olds, 1-1 year old, and 1-two month old)

6) Expired temple recommend that needed to be renewed (don't worry it worked our some how.)
7) Toddlers that are not used to sharing there toys.

Day 1 Wednesday

Family arrives around 8:30 pm after a long drive (15 hours with stops).  Somehow we managed to get kids settled and in bed before 10 pm, but Polly stayed up until midnight talking to sister.

Family includes...Sister (Lisa) from vegas w/4 kids and mom from Utah w/ Kohyn (John's baby)

Day 2 Thursday

Temple Day....

With lots of help Pollyanna and Lisa made it to the temple.  Mom stayed home and watched 4 of kids.  Eric ventured out with 3 girls in tote in search for some shoes.    

 

Savannah and Liberty enjoying the Temple

Lisa & Polly before going in

A special trip to the temple was a great way to start a family vacation.  Savannah and Liberty became best friends and enjoyed going shopping with Eric.  We arrived home to rescue my mom from Jericho (Lisa's youngest) who wanted his mom all morning long. (We heard it in the screaming)

With Alex and Emily home from school, dinner was on the way and everyone was quickly fed with time left over to go to the park.  Going to the park with cousins is always more exciting then when you go with just your family.  The best part about going to the park it was just a short walk from the house.  (After spending the day in the car...not too exciting for kids to get back in the car.)

Brittlynn always enjoying everything in her stroller

Alex & Hunter playing a little soccer together

Kohyn taking on the big slide

Dakota loving the spinner

Eric on the swings...he has it all under control

Polly's turn...with one less toddler

Emily & Dakota on top of the world

Jericho ready to take on the world

Savannah pushing her mommy

We were all exhausted and ready to go home to go to bed...stay tuned for Part 2 of our family visit.

Family Visit... Part 3

Day 4, Saturday


Balloons, Soccer, Naps, and Swimming

You might want to ask yourselves are we crazy?...The answer yes!  We decided to wake up at 5:30 am to go and watch the balloon festival down town.  Believe it or not we all made it...even the teenagers.  It was colder than we expected, but it was lots of fun.

Eating a little breakfast on the go before the balloons start

Exploring the near by lake...Kohyn, Savannah, and Eric

The first one is off leading the way.

Savannah with the best seat in the house

Savannah finding something to do while waiting...playing in the Water

There they go...

This one touched the water...and almost didn't make it out

After all of that we quickly returned home so everyone could get ready for our next adventure for the day. It was off the the soccer field to watch Alex play.  (What kinda of blog would it be without soccer?)  With all of the extra kids running around and Brittlynn wanting her mommy...we have no pictures...sorry.  It quickly warmed up, and we couldn't find enough shade for the whole family.  Alex played well and the game ended in 2-2 tie with overtime.  Much needed naps were taken and errands were run leading to our next adventure.

The swimming pool.  We all went to the family swim night at the local recreation center.  The scariest part of the whole night was letting Alex drive.  (Still trying to get used to teenage driving.)  Enjoy the pictures...

The swimming pool is so much fun with all of the cousins.  There was a slide, wave pool, lazy river, and whirlpool.  What more can you ask for.  We left exhausted and hungry.  A quick pizza dinner, baths and bedtime.